Christmas preparations have started!

Work on Pink Pig continues, but in between the building, painting and general destruction, I have made a start on my Christmas cards!!

I have used a Penny Black Slapstick stamp and Copic Pens for the image which I am really loving. I think I may use this image on quite a few cards this year!!

This image is another Penny Black Slapstick card and again I have used Copics to colour it in.

The last christmas card this week is the Snowman from Crafters Companion. A very simple image, but a much loved character from childhood.....loving it!









Its going to be a busy few months with renovating, hospital appointments, card making and website planning, but I have a list of about 7 cards I need to make in the next week or so.

As well as the Christmas cards this week, I have made a Ruby Anniversary and a Wedding Card....busy busy busy!

 Using Wild Rose Stamps and Spectrum Noir Pens. (I have used the pens for the first time and am finding the blending great)

I wanted to keep this simple and elegant. I have used the cricut imagine calligraphy cartridge for the lettering.










Pink Pig pictures will be posted soon......hopefully!

what a busy month

It's hard to believe that it's been nearly a month since I started work on the pink pig premises. The building is very old and hasn't seen any tlc in a very long time. I am currently trying to strip wallpaper that has been vanished, glossed and emulsioned....stunning and a real pain to remove.

The workshops room is almost there, I have had the ceiling lowered to provide better lighting, the walls have been plastered and painted and a new laminate floor installed for easy clean up. My lovely husband is currently creating an area to place items to dry and a coat cupboard, as well as installing brand new electrics.

I haven't got a finished pic yet, but below you can see what I have been contending with!! :- random sink uncovered behind some hardboard!

To this:-

New walls and ceiling

I will take pics with the finished floor and walls as soon as the room is clean and tidy!

My website development has also begun, so any feedback on how you would like a craft website to look and navigate would be most helpful. My initial thoughts are to ensure it is very user friendly with only a few clicks to get what you want, but let me have your thoughts.

As well as practically living at the shop, I've had a wedding, christening and birthday card to make. The wedding and birthday card seemed to come easily, but the christening card has been tough.....

 I made this for my best friend's wedding day. Her wedding colours were pink and green, so I decided to incorporate them into the card. I have used the lili of the valley wedding stamps for the main picture.

This is the birthday card for my mum. I have used crafters companion's swalk range for the picture and Stampin Up's! #2 daisies sizzix die for the flowers. (both can be purchased from me!, just ask for details)

And finally the christening card! This was my first attempt at a shaker card, but I'm loving the effect. The picture is crafters companion's baby Humprey and the glitter is Stampin Up's! Baja Breeze glitter ( again available through me!! )

Although this one took a long time to decide on, I am very happy with the end result....hopefully my work colleague who requested it will agree. The last card I made for her made her cry, so this is now the measure for all future cards!!





Phew!.....a long update I know...apologies.....I will try and log on more frequently, but I am just so excited about getting the shop open that it is taking over my life (for the better I might add)

Dream becoming reality.......yay!!!

I am finally taking the plunge, after talking about it for 5 years! I have been very lucky in securing some premises from my dad for Pink pig crafts to be born.....so excited.

There is a lot of work to do, but fortunately I have access to dad's DIY shop, husband the electrician and father in law plasterer....such a lucky girl.

We are grafting hard to make the workshop area perfect and I will update some pictures as soon as we get the place in a decent condition.....watch this space.

July Workshop planning...

I am getting excited now, my first workshop is booked for Saturday 16th July at 10am......let's hope somebody turns up!

I have put together a simple card as I have no idea what everybody's capabilities will be yet and I really want everyone to have fun. I have used the Wedding Sweet and Cottage Garden stamp selections:-

My sister is getting married in November and has asked me to make the wedding invites. Luckily for me, the Wedding Sweet stamp set is ideal and was the final choice. I have kept it simple and elegant as requested and I think they look fab.....but see for yourself:-

First practice....

The new crafting goodies arrived this week, so it was only fitting that I started 'playing' with them immediately! I have now approached a local community centre to hold my own craft workshop and can't wait to get started!

I decided this time not to just stick to card making. I have made an easel card card and a chocolate gift box......so much fun.

These may be a bit more advanced than I need for my first demonstration, but at least I now have an idea of what i can create using these fab new stamps.

Away from crafting, as promised, here is a now 5 month old Sam. He is becoming a very big chilled out pup who loves nothing more than eating my garden.....(hope he grows out of that one soon!)

My beautiful Sam.

Stampin Up!

I have only gone and done it! Yes, I have joined the Stampin Up! family and become an independant demonstrator. Hopefully this will be the start of my crafting business career!!!

For those of you who don't know about Stampin Up!, it is an American based company that has been running for 22 years. They sell stamps, inks, card, embellishments etc and you can only buy the products through a demonstrator by catalogue. If you are interested in having a look, visit http://www.stampinup.co.uk/.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the products, let me know. I am looking at running challenges/competitions once I have received my goodies so that everyone can have a chance to win some of the fantastic stamps/cards/embellishments to have a play with.

I will post some of my creations once I have had a chance to play and would appreciate you sharing details of my blog on your own blog to help kick start my business ( at this point, all help is greatly appreciated!! )

I am so looking forward to starting up this new venture and will keep you posted as things progress.

If you live in or around the wakefield area, I will be starting a monthly craft class soon, so let me have your details and I will update you with dates/times/venue as soon as it's finalised.

As I am still quite new to blogging, if anyone has any pearls of wisdom to help me get this business started, please let me know.

It's been a while.....

Hi all,

Well it's been an interesting 6 weeks since I last updated my blog. I haven't been on here as I lost 60% of my vision overnight.....scary!

Fortunately it is starting to come back, but it seems very difficult to keep my vision focused (very frustrating when trying to make cards!)

Anyway, after a holiday to Florida I am back and making my cards as and when the vision allows.

Do crafts have released 'tatty teddy' stamps, which me and my daughter absolutely adore. We have been trying to be a little bit more adventuous with our colours and designs, but the feedback from relatives has been great. It was my sister in laws birthday last weekend and I put together something a little different:-

 

I am aiming now to try and start some form of crafting business. I am contacting suppliers and investigating anything and everything to do with business start ups. It would be so nice to have a career round something I love so much.....so watch this space!

Happy crafting
X